AS the new school year gets well underway, many of us feel a mix of anticipation and nerves. For teenagers, this time can be particularly difficult. The start of a new school year, with its new teachers, classes, and social pressures, can be a significant source of stress.
For today's teenagers, this is often compounded by the unique challenges of having grown up in the lockdown generation. Having missed crucial in-person social and academic development, their anxieties can feel more pronounced than for previous generations.
Common teenage anxiety problems
Teenage anxiety can take many forms. Here are some of the most common issues to watch for as the new school year approaches:
Social anxiety: Teenagers may worry intensely about being judged, embarrassed, or rejected by their peers. This can lead to them avoiding social events, sitting alone at lunchtime, or refusing to participate in group activities.
Performance anxiety: The pressure to get good grades can be immense. Teenagers may worry excessively about exams, homework, and classroom performance, leading to perfectionism, procrastination, or an unwillingness to try new things for fear of failure.
Separation anxiety: While often associated with younger children, this can reappear in teenagers who fear being away from their parents or a safe environment. It may manifest as reluctance to go to school, or feeling unwell before leaving the house.
Generalised anxiety: Some teenagers feel a pervasive sense of dread or worry about everything from climate change to what others think of them. They might be irritable, have trouble sleeping, or complain of physical symptoms like headaches or stomach aches.
How you can help
Offer a calm, non-judgmental presence and a safe space for them to talk. Here’s how you can help without making things worse:
Validate their feelings: Acknowledge their emotions as real and valid. Phrases like, "It makes sense that you feel nervous about this," can help them feel seen and understood.
Encourage small steps: Help them break down overwhelming tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. If a teenager is worried about going to a school club, you might suggest they just go for 15 minutes, or that you could wait nearby.
Model calmness: Your own reaction to their anxiety is important. If you seem stressed or panicky about their worries, it can increase their own anxiety. Staying calm and grounded demonstrates that their feelings are manageable.
Promote self-care: Encourage healthy habits that are proven to reduce stress.
A self-care box, which we've discussed in previous articles, can be a great tool. It might include a calming playlist, a stress ball, a comforting scent, or a journal. The idea is to have a tangible toolkit for when they feel overwhelmed
Martin Furber is a therapist. Contact: wellbeing@martinfurber.com
If you are in a mental health crisis contact your GP, go to A&E, call NHS 111 (option2), the Samaritans on 116 123 or text SHOUT to 85258
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